Staff

Bradley A. Smith, Chairman and Founder Brad is one of the nation’s foremost experts on campaign finance law. He served as a Commissioner on the Federal Election Commission, resigning as of Aug. 21, 2005. Smith was elected as Vice Chairman of the Commission in 2003 and Chairman of the Commission in 2004. A recent New York […]

David Keating, President David Keating has a long and distinguished career in nonprofit advocacy. In addition to his role as Executive Director of Club for Growth, a group dedicated to the promulgation of economic freedom, he has served as executive vice president of the National Taxpayers Union and executive director of Americans for Fair Taxation, […]

Allen Dickerson, Legal Director Allen Dickerson is Legal Director of the Institute for Free Speech, where he leads the Institute’s nationwide litigation efforts. He has represented individuals and organizations in First Amendment challenges before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Third, Ninth, Tenth, and D.C. Circuits, the Supreme Courts of Colorado and […]

Matt Nese, Director of External Relations Matt re-joined the Institute for Free Speech as the organization’s Director of External Relations in July 2012 after spending time at Stateside Associates, where he gained an extensive knowledge of state legislative processes. In his capacity as Director of External Relations, Matt is responsible for the organization’s legislative and […]

Joe Albanese, Research Fellow Joe Albanese came to the Institute for Free Speech as a Research Fellow in 2016. As a member of the External Relations team, he conducts original research on state and federal campaign finance regulations and their impact on First Amendment political speech rights. Joe also authors policy publications, op-eds, and blog […]

Alex Baiocco, Communications Fellow Alex joined the Institute for Free Speech as a Communications Fellow in July 2016. In this capacity, Alex is responsible for compiling and distributing the Institute’s signature weekday Daily Media Update, which contains topical news stories and commentary on a variety of issues surrounding campaign finance and free speech generally. Alex […]

Scott Blackburn, Senior Research Analyst Scott became the Institute for Free Speech’s Senior Research Analyst in April 2017. In this position, he is responsible for spearheading the Institute’s short-term and long-term research efforts on the costs and benefits of campaign finance laws and regulations on free political debate and free association. Scott’s primary research areas […]

Susan Bradley, Office Manager Susan supports the Institute for Free Speech staff as Office Manager, and is the proud mom of three college students. (Geaux Tigers! Go Rams!) In addition to her work at IFS, Susan has served as President of the Mount Vernon Republican Women’s Club since January of 2011. A native of the […]

Alex Cordell, Research Fellow Alex Cordell came to the Institute for Free Speech as a Research Fellow in June 2017. As a member of the External Relations team, Alex is primarily involved in researching federal and state campaign finance regulations, and consequently, the effects of those regulations on First Amendment political speech rights. In accordance […]

Alex Kroll, Director of Development Alex is a graduate of the University of Illinois and Loyola University Chicago School of Law. As a student, he helped create and lead several student groups to counter the prevailing ideology present on those campuses. In his prior position as Member Relations Officer with Susan B. Anthony List, Alex […]

Tyler Martinez, Staff Attorney Tyler Martinez is a Colorado native. He graduated summa cum laude from the Metropolitan State College of Denver with his B.A. in History. He then went on to earn his J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School, while winning accolades for his advocacy skills and serving as Executive Editor of […]

Zac Morgan, Staff Attorney Zac joined the Institute for Free Speech as a full-time staff attorney in 2012. He is a graduate of the George Mason University School of Law, where he participated in the school’s legal clinics for U.S. Supreme Court practice and providing legal assistance for service members. Prior to attending law school, […]

Luke Wachob, Senior Policy Analyst Luke joined the Institute for Free Speech as an intern in June 2013. He took on additional duties as a Policy Analyst in August 2013 and was promoted to Senior Policy Analyst in April 2017. As Senior Policy Analyst, Luke is responsible for directing and authoring the Institute’s policy publications […]

Eric Wang, Senior Fellow Eric is a pro bono Senior Fellow with IFS and is also Special Counsel in the Election Law practice group at the Washington, DC law firm of Wiley Rein. Eric’s practice focuses on federal and state campaign finance, lobbying, political nonprofit, and government ethics laws. Eric has served as interim general […]

Owen Yeates, Staff Attorney Owen graduated with a J.D. from Stanford Law School, a Ph.D. in political science from Duke University, and a B.S., summa cum laude, in physics from Brigham Young University. He clerked for the Honorable Scott Matheson, Jr., of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (2012-2013), the Honorable […]